The ~ accent (called a tilde) on the Spanish letter Ñ indicates that the word used to be spelled with two Ns but now the tilde stands in for the second one.

It's very important to include the tilde when writing or typing, because N and Ñ are two different letters. There are words that mean different things depending on whether the word is spelled with an N or an Ñ. For example, una = one while uña = nail. Also, the Ñ section of the dictionary comes after the entire N section.

Ñ is pronounced like the ni in onion.

Also see N page.

Please note that this explanation is only a guideline for the Spanish that I know, which is Castilian Spanish. There are many regional variations in Spanish pronunciation.

More Spanish Pronunciation

©   Laura K. Lawless
All rights reserved.
About e Learn Spanish Language

Find Spanish Lessons Custom Search